Year 11 Leadership Day is an important tradition and preparatory programme for our emerging Year 12 students and the journey into formal leadership roles, as well as the role of their positive and influential example within Shore. The day provided a valuable opportunity for the students to step away from their usual classroom routines and focus on the important question of what it means to lead and positively influence our Shore School culture. As they prepare to enter their final year of schooling, the day encouraged them to think deeply about the responsibilities, challenges, and opportunities that come with leadership in various forms.
The day’s programme featured a series of engaging speakers who each explored leadership from a unique perspective. The first addressed the idea of servant leadership, emphasising that true leadership is not about authority or status, but about putting the needs of others first and building a community where everyone can thrive. Another session focused on leadership through Christian faith, encouraging students to consider how values such as compassion, humility, and integrity can guide their decisions and actions in their final year of schooling.
Leadership was also explored beyond the School context as we invited Mary’s House CEO, Ms Yvette Vignando, to share her experiences of leading in a non-profit organisation, highlighting the importance of vision, commitment, and the ability to inspire others to work towards a greater cause in the community. Several of our students ably interviewed Ms Vignando via an engaging Q&A session.
Finally, the boys were challenged to reflect on leadership through character, learning that personal integrity, diligence, humility, and consistency are central qualities of effective leaders.
Following these sessions, Year 11 students spent time with their Housemasters in small group discussions. This provided space to process what they had heard, ask questions, and identify areas in which they could actively demonstrate positive leadership in the Shore community. Many boys reflected on how they could lead by example, support younger students, and contribute meaningfully to their Houses, Co-Curricular activities, and the broader life of Shore.
Overall, the Year 11 Leadership Day was both inspiring and practical. It challenged the students to recognise that leadership is not defined by a badge or title, but by everyday actions and choices.
As the cohort looks ahead to their final year, the lessons of the day will serve as a strong foundation for the leadership they will soon be called to exercise.
Mr Stuart McCormack
Head of Students
Walking Together For Change
On Sunday 26 October, 25 Year 11 Shore students joined the Mary’s House Walk in North Sydney, standing alongside hundreds from the local community to ‘say no’ to domestic and family violence. Guided by staff members Mr Derek Champion, Mr Brendan Laurence, Dr Luke Gilmour and Mr Huw Blood, the group set out on the 8.8km course through Balls Head, Waverton and Lavender Bay, walking not only for awareness, but for empathy and understanding.
The initiative followed a visit from Mary’s House CEO, Yvette Vignando, who spoke at the Year 11 Leadership Day about the concept of servant leadership. Her message - that leadership begins with showing up for others - resonated deeply with students and inspired their participation.
For George Scammel, the walk was a moment of reflection. “When Ms Vignando came to speak to us, she reinforced the idea of ‘servant leadership’ and encouraged us to think about ways we could serve within our local community. It made me realise that leadership can also be as simple as showing up for people who need support,” he said. “Taking part in the walk was important for me because safety is something I’ve never had to question, and everyone deserves that basic right.”
The morning brought together students, teachers, families and community members from across the North Sydney area. George Williams described the unity of the event as a reminder of the impact young people can have when they act together. “I found myself chatting to people I hadn’t met before about issues the community faces,” he said. “It opened my eyes to the power young people have in sparking change. Seeing that huge mass of people of all demographics walking together made me realise the importance of service, as so many people had come together to ‘say no’.”
The final moments of the walk, as students from different schools formed a tunnel to cheer on finishers, captured the collective strength of the day. Shore’s participation in the Mary’s House Walk exemplified compassionate leadership and commitment to the cause. Through collective engagement, students learned that meaningful change begins with individual action and small acts of support.
Servant Leadership Q&A
1. What does “servant leadership” mean?
At Shore, servant leadership begins with the understanding that leadership is not about position or recognition. It is an opportunity to use our gifts for the good of others. Our boys are encouraged to place the needs of their community first, to listen carefully, and to act with purpose. Leadership is shaped through everyday choices that strengthen relationships, foster belonging, and contribute quietly to the good of others.
2. How are students taught to practise servant leadership in real ways?
Servant leadership is explored through both reflection and action. Programmes such as the Year 11 Leadership Day invite students to consider leadership through faith, service, and character, while community initiatives such as the Mary’s House Walk allow boys to live out these ideas in practical settings. By stepping beyond the School gates, students learn that leadership often begins by simply showing up for others.
3. Why is service to the wider community central to leadership at Shore?
Service teaches responsibility, initiative, and the importance of leading by example. We believe leadership must extend beyond the School community. Engaging with organisations such as Rough Edges and Mary’s House, helps students understand that leadership carries social responsibility. Through service, boys develop empathy, perspective, and an awareness of issues they may not encounter in their own lives, shaping leaders who are outward-looking and grounded.
4. How does Shore prepare students for leadership without titles?
Shore places strong emphasis on influence rather than authority. Boys are encouraged to lead by example in their Houses, teams, and daily interactions. Through guided discussions with Housemasters and staff, students reflect on how integrity, honesty, and care for others define leadership long before any formal role is awarded.
5. How does servant leadership reflect Shore’s broader educational philosophy?
Servant leadership reflects our commitment to educating the whole person. Academic learning is complemented by character formation and a strong sense of community. When boys learn that leadership is measured by service, compassion, and responsibility, they are better prepared not only for their final years at Shore, but for lives of purpose beyond it.